[Yoda]

Having read last week's Golf World, I am betting Lynn's letter has something to do with Jay Williamson. Am I right, Yoda?

No, Blackjack, it related to caddy compensation on the PGA TOUR. Golf World had published a piece the week before relating how Doug Donatello, caddy for Eric Axley, had offered (and ultimately paid) a reward of $20 for help in finding an errant shot. Here was my response:

Donatello's Dollars

Though caddie Doug Donatello indeed realized a solid return on his $20 'investment' (The Fringe / July 18 ) after enticing fans to help find a ball at the John Deere Classic, it probably was less than the "standard 10 percent caddie share" mentioned. More likely, Eric Axley's T-4 earned Donatello 7 percent on the unwritten '5-7-10' norm -- 5 percent for a made cut, 7 percent for a top 10, and 10 percent for a win. This bonus is paid on top of a negotiated per week base (usually $1,000).

Not exactly War And Peace, but it was fun to write and informative to the average reader. Before everybody runs off and quits their day job, remember that caddies typically get paid only when their player competes and that they pay their own expenses. Do the math, and you'll find that you need a good bag to make a decent living.